In previous years, the European Conference on Composite Materials has been at the forefront of showcasing innovation and key research developments into composites: ECCM21 (July 2024) was no different, with over 25 presenters from Bristol Composites Institute alone! A full list of presentation titles and abstracts can be found here on our blog.
Hosted in the city of Nantes, France, an impressive variety of topics ranging from structural performance and material fundamentals all the way up to large-scale industrial process and simulation were on offer. Comprising of a mix of introductory tutorials, posters and parallel presentation sessions, the conference delivered on providing insight and highlighted trends towards more sustainable use of composites – an ever-growing topic of importance in today’s world.
Of particular note in this conference was the focus on machine learning and data-driven approaches to composites: for example, to advance current simulation and process modelling of liquid composite moulding, to in-line monitoring during deposition using novel sensors and inspection techniques. Data is fast-becoming an increasingly valuable asset used by manufacturers and customers, particularly in the aerospace sector, to make more informed decision-making about how to best navigate the challenges in a post-pandemic global supply chain.
However, the ways in which data is processed is just as important, but can be expectedly variable given the diversity and spread of the composites community. Take the microstructure of a composite laminate, typically, a micrograph of the laminate cross-section is captured and the fibre volume fraction quantified using image-analysis.
The challenge? Methods X, Y & Z used to analyse the same image all return different values. The first step towards a solution? An image-based benchmark to establish guidelines for improving the consistency between researchers and therefore, increasing confidence in their analyses and maturation for industrial applications.
It is clear that composites has a far-reaching impact on many sectors and research themes. To capitalise on these innovations, the continued active dialogue between industrial and academic partners is of critical importance.
written by Umeir Khan, PhD Aerospace Engineering.
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NextCOMP enjoyed a very successful set of 5 special sessions at ECCM21 which took place across two days on the subject of “Understanding and Improving longitudinal Compressive strength”. With a keynote from Prof Michael Wisnom a highlight, the sessions which took place in a large auditorium at le Cite Congres, Nantes were very well attended and sparked considerable interest, conversations and discussions in and outside the sessions. Speaker contributions from academia and industry meant the sessions successfully showcased the excellent research into composite compression being undertaken around the world. Once again, this focussed session has facilitated the creation of new connections and collaborations to extend the NextCOMP Programme’s research in the future.
The NextCOMP team from BCI and Imperial College enjoyed a very productive week at the conference, and were pleased to attend numerous fascinating talks on a range of different subjects including the latest composites research. After-hours highlights in the lovely city of Nantes included many crepes, visits to fascinating historical buildings and some unique street and creative arts spaces – certain members of the NextCOMP team might have even been spotted watching some entertaining Euro football matches (with colleagues and friends from around the world). We thank the organisers for a fantastic conference, which we all thoroughly enjoyed!
written by Jo Gildersleve, NextCOMP Project Manager.
We are pleased to announce an impressive line up of academics, researchers and PhD students from the 
A group of Sixth Form students are being taking part in the NextCOMP Crusher activity, guided by a current CDT student. Photo credit: James Griffith
A group of Sixth Form students engaged in the activity of creating an aeroplane wing. Photo credit: James Griffith
A group of Sixth Form students testing their Marble Run. Photo credit: James Griffith
